Welcome to Episode 1 of Three Changes a Week: your weekly update on how to save the planet.
If you haven’t read my introduction to this column and on reducing (plastic) waste, you can find it here – or just jump straight in and make those changes!
This week, I wanted to focus on the changes so easy you’re probably already doing them – or definitely know you should be.
These are the Poster Girls of the Plastic Revolution.
1. USE A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE
Ease rating: *****
Cost: £5-£15
Using and refilling your own water bottle is probably something that you’re already doing – if not, get on the bandwagon this instant.
Amazon is probably your best bet (put that Prime Student to good use), but do be wary that this will probably come with extra packaging, although this may just be recyclable cardboard. To avoid this, try any shop in town from supermarkets, to Wilko, to outdoor shops, to Urban Outfitters.
By bringing this water bottle with you everywhere, you will quickly save money on not buying overpriced bottled water. Lots of cafes will happily refill it for you for free, and there are many water fountains on campus which you can use.
What about juices, squash and smoothies? Bring these in your reusable bottle too! Choosing larger bottles of juice and filling up your bottle at home will save money and waste and allow you to avoid unnecessary additives. Try making your own smoothies, too.
For extra credit: get a metal water bottle rather than a plastic one. I have used a hundred plastic water bottles in my time, and my current double-walled metal bottle (which is like this one, which has over 1,500 positive reviews) is far, far, far superior to all of them. Plastic bottles are easy to break, especially if they have a straw or lid catch of any kind. These then have to be thrown in the bin, into landfill. However, metal water bottles are practically invincible – mine may be a little chipped and dented, but I don’t have to throw it away. It’s still completely usable. It also keeps whatever’s in it cold or hot for a long time – hot for 12 hours and cold for 24 – and this works incredibly well. Often, I’ve surprised myself by still having icy water at the end of the day.
Metal also seems to not accumulate that musty/mouldy/dank smell that water bottles sometimes get. I’ve had to throw away plastic water bottles because of a lingering taste or smell, but my metal one is going on two years strong with no hint of it.
If you do find that a smell or mouldy taste is clinging to your bottle follow these tips:
* Don’t leave water in your bottle for longer than 24 hours – empty it out and leave it upside down with lid off on your draining board overnight
* Wash weekly with hot water and soap
* If it does start to smell, cut up half a lemon into small chunks and put it in the bottle and then fill with boiling water; wait for this to cool and then pour it out; this shold erase the smell
2. BRING YOUR OWN BAG
Ease rating: *****
Cost: £0 (you already own too many bags)
Again, you are probably already doing this, especially with the 5p government bag charge in place. However, do be wary that the bag charge doesn’t apply to smaller stores, so don’t get caught out. Keep a bag (thin canvas totes are easy to stuff into pockets) on you at all times, and bring a few if you’re going shopping. Consider keeping a box or drawer of bags near your front door to doubly remind you – especially if you live in a shared student house, as this will remind all your housemates to also bring one with them.
If you’re ordering from a supermarket online, check to see if there is an option to chose that is delivered without plastic bags (especially as this may incur a charge). Sainsbury’s definitely offers this, but we have used Tesco and accidentally ended up with lots of plastic bags (it was a very sad day), so use caution!
If you’ve gone shopping and managed to forget your bag, use common sense. Only a few things? You probably don’t need a bag at all. If you can’t carry everything, look around and see if the supermarket has left any cardboard boxes (that their stock is delivered in) near the tills that you could use to take your shopping home in.
3. SAY NO TO PLASTIC STRAWS
Ease rating: ****
Cost: £0
Plastic straws are problematic because their small size and light weight means that they can easily blow out of bins and lorries or be missed by recycling systems. This means they often end up, whole, in the ocean, where they wash up on beaches or get stuck up turtle’s nostrils (this sounds comic – but trust me, the videos are only horrifying and graphic).
If you’re offered a straw in a restaurant or bar, simply say you don’t need one. Have a look around – if lots of people have straws in their drinks, they might put one in automatically, so make sure you say before your drink is served that you don’t need one. Many places are also starting to offer paper straws instead.
If you do want or need to use a straw, there are many reusable, eco-friendly options out there, made of bamboo or steel. Consider carrying one of these with you to use instead.
On the other hand, you will probably end up with a straw a few times anyway. Sometimes its awkward to ask, or they give you one anyway and you aren’t quick enough to decline. Just remember, that every time you go without, you are making a difference – even if its not very time. If you do get a straw by mistake, consider giving feedback and saying that you feel they should not use them. Who knows, you might be the one that makes them stop using them completely.
Made these changes or already doing them? Post a picture to Instagram or Twitter and tag it to #3changesaweek to spread the word!